we’re looking ahead to 2026 and breaking down the key marketing trends you need to know. From shifting consumer behaviours to emerging content styles, we’ll explore the strategies that will help you stay competitive in the year ahead.
If you’re planning your 2026 or just want to be prepared for what’s coming, this episode offers practical insights for next year's marketing.
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/marketingandmargaritas_/
Struggling to attract clients who actually want to pay you? In this episode, we break down what really drives buying decisions and why “feeling salesy” isn’t part of the process.
Learn how to clarify your message, attract aligned clients, and turn your content into a magnet for the people who are READY to invest.
If you’ve ever felt the December–January dip creeping up on your ecommerce store, this episode is your roadmap for keeping revenue flowing while everyone else is blaming the season.
In today’s chat, we break down the exact strategies we use with clients to turn what most brands call “the dead months” into some of their highest-performing periods.
We cover:
How to convert Christmas shoppers fast — including urgent gift-card pushes, festive bundles, tiered discounts and the psychology behind shipping cutoff urgency.
Bounce-back promos that beat traditional discounts — so December revenue fuels your January sales without destroying margin.
Mystery bundles that boost dopamine + AOV — low-cost, high-fun offers like Summer Mystery Bags and Reset Boxes that convert even when motivation is low.
“New Year, New Routine” quiz funnels — why early January is the BEST time to launch a personalised routine finder that nurtures customers into long-term buyers.
January’s secret weapon: awareness-based UGC — cheaper CPMs, more scrolling, and the exact content styles that grow your brand while everyone else goes quiet.
If you want your ecommerce store to stay profitable through the holidays and set up a strong Q1, this episode gives you the playbook.
If you want a profitable, sustainable, and intentional 2026, the time to plan isn’t January - it’s right now. In this week’s episode, we dig into the strategy and structure you need to build next year on purpose instead of on the fly.
We’re covering:
• Why early planning is the #1 predictor of a smooth, successful 2026
• How to audit your current offers to make sure they actually align with your future goals
• Mapping your campaign + promo calendar for the entire year (and why “winging it” costs you revenue)
• How to set your operations and support systems up for bigger growth
• The key questions you must answer before January 1st
• Why your health, relationships, and personal development are business strategy, not an afterthought
If you’re ready to go deeper and create a crystal-clear blueprint for a wealthy and well-supported new year, join Ruby's FREE workshop: Rich in ’26 on Thursday December 4th. We’ll build your 2026 roadmap together.
Click here to save your seat (replay available for those who register)
Today's Margi Hour question is from Simone who wants to know what are the pros and cons of boosting posts and if the engagement on posts can help improve your ads.
Want a question answered on the podcast? Send us a DM over on Instagram @marketingandmargartitas_
It’s one of the questions we get asked the most — how can I actually use AI in my business?
In this episode, we’re breaking it down simply. No jargon, no tech talk, just practical ways to use AI to save time, boost creativity, and make your marketing (and life) easier.
Maddi here, I just got back from Foxwell Founders' meet up in Portland USA and I thought I'd share all the insights around performance marketing.
I joined Foxwell Founders earlier this year and it has been one of the best decisions I've made. To be amongst such extraordinary digital marketers is invaluable. You get access to courses, a Slack channel where we discuss everything marketing, a fully trained ChatGPT (which is honestly my bestie) plus daily calls where you can get so much support.
If you'd like to join follow this link: https://foxwellfounders.com/ or feel free to DM to chat more about it.
Re-Release: The Email Marketing Episode Everyone Loved
We’re bringing back one of our most downloaded episodes - because honestly, it’s that good (and we know you might’ve missed it the first time).
In this episode of Marketing & Margaritas, we’re diving into the top strategies for creating engaging, high-converting email content. You’ll learn why every email needs a clear goal - whether that’s boosting click-through rates, improving sender reputation, or simply deepening connection - and why not every email should be focused on making a sale.
We’ll unpack the five key pillars of powerful email content: promotional, trust-building, objection-handling, branding, and educational.
Plus, discover how to write subject lines that actually get opened using questions, curiosity, humour, and a sprinkle of scarcity (without feeling spammy).
We’ll also chat about keeping your list clean and engaged, segmenting your audience for better results, and delivering the kind of value that keeps subscribers coming back for more.
Follow along on Instagram for more marketing tips and a splash of margarita-fuelled business inspo: @marketingandmargaritas_
Receive 20% off Maddi's Master Your Meta Ads Workshop! Just use the code marketing&margaritas at checkout.
👉 Book your spot here
Now, onto today’s episode, we’re unpacking how organic content is turning into some of the best-performing ads right now. You’ll hear why creative diversification is essential, how founder stories are driving deeper connections, why static content is making a comeback, and how partnership ads can skyrocket trust and reach.
A taste of what you'll also learn at Maddi's workshop!
In this episode of the Marketing and Margaritas podcast, we dive into the latest trends and strategies that are working on Instagram right now.
From the importance of a robust Instagram story strategy to the benefits of creating a signature series, we discuss how to effectively engage your audience and boost your reach.
Tune in to discover actionable insights and tips to enhance your Instagram presence and drive conversions.
Today's question is from Leah:
"I’ve been loving listening to your podcast episodes when I’m travelling for work! I’m a speech pathologist living metro, that provides outreach services to rural and remote Queensland. I do the marketing for our business which has multiple clinic locations, and about 25 employees.
I was wondering if you’ve considered doing some podcast episodes tailored to service-based businesses - especially those who see the same clients each week but don’t necessarily have an online shop or run discount-style promotions? (like we can’t really do the “10% off” or a “giveaway service” thing in the health industry)
I just find so many suggestions from the podcasts, I can’t apply because we aren’t a products-based business. What am I doing wrong? 😅"
Want a question answered on the podcast, send us a DM over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingandmargaritas_/
We’re back with another quarterly breakdown and this one’s all about making Q4 your biggest quarter yet.
In this episode, we talk about how to maximise your holiday campaigns without discounting too hard, the best way to prep your audience now for Black Friday & Christmas, and how to use storytelling to stand out in a crowded feed.
We also share our favourite strategies for lead generation, creative refreshes, and the metrics that actually matter so you can finish the year strong and set up Q1 for success.
Are you showing up on Instagram but still not seeing the sales you want? In this episode, we’re breaking down the four essential stages of selling on Instagram and why missing just one of them could be costing you.
Ruby walks through the full framework, from consistently attracting new leads to converting them into paying customers, and highlights the stage most people skip (and why that’s where the sales magic actually happens).
It’s time for Rapid Response, where we answer your marketing questions completely unfiltered and off the cuff.
We put up a question box on Instagram, you asked your questions, and now we’re giving you our raw, unprepared thoughts.
From strategies that work to industry hot takes, this is the no-fluff, real-talk episode you didn’t know you needed.
Follow us on Instagram to ensure you don't miss our next Rapid Fire question box.
Meta’s Andromeda update has flipped the script: your creative is now your targeting. That means the old “find one winner and scale it” playbook no longer cuts it. In this episode, I break down the nine essential creative categories every business should have in their account in 2025.
You’ll learn:
Why creative diversity is the single biggest lever for unlocking growth in the new algorithm.
The nine creative categories you need (with examples for both e-commerce and service businesses).
How to audit your current creative mix and identify the gaps.
A step-by-step framework for testing, scaling, and analysing creative performance by category instead of single ads.
By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to diversify your creative, reach new audience segments, and give Meta’s AI the tools it needs to find your best customers.
Link to our subscribe only episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IOSfOpMrN2O23rJfgOOIr?si=chyMON3eS4i2U4_jxyw1Hw
Need 1:1 support with your Meta ads? Book a consulting call with Maddi here.
Instagram Stories aren’t just for pretty pictures and behind-the-scenes snippets, they’re one of the most powerful tools for turning followers into loyal customers.
In this episode, we break down how to use Stories to spark real conversations, build trust, and guide your audience seamlessly from a quick reply to a confident purchase.
Whether it’s using polls and questions to create dialogue, strategic storytelling to showcase offers, or making the sales process feel natural and authentic, you’ll walk away with practical tips you can apply to your Instagram Stories.
Meta has rolled out an algorithm update that's changing everything about how Facebook and Instagram ads work.
In this episode, Maddi explains "Andromeda," Meta's new AI-powered ad retrieval engine that's flipping the script on targeting.
We discuss why your structured funnel campaigns might suddenly be underperforming and why your old targeting strategies are becoming obsolete.
You'll learn:
• What the Andromeda update actually is
• How creative now does the targeting instead of your audience selections
• Why traditional TOF/MOF/BOF campaign structures are being replaced
• The new two-campaign approach that's working with Andromeda
Whether you're noticing strange performance shifts in your Meta campaigns or want to stay ahead of the curve, this episode provides essential knowledge for navigating the biggest change to Meta advertising in years.
If you're looking for a deep dive into how to set up your campaigns and what's working now, Maddi breaks it down in our subscriber only episode.
Subscribe here and listen to the episode.
On today's episode of Margi Hour we answer Mel's question:
"Hey team. Love listening to your podcasts. Can I pop a request in? I notice so many marketing podcasts and communities are really focused on product based businesses and I understand all the strategies you talk about for this. However, businesses like mine - which is independent retail selling a multitude of brands - the advice and strategies don't always suit us. e.g. sending products to influencers etc for ugc content. Our mark ups are much less and with so many overheads it's difficult to adopt the strategies tried and tested. This explains why so many independent retailers are shutting up shop both in Aus and in NZ where I'm based. Would love some discussion on businesses like ours?! Mel x"
Want your question answered on the podcast? Send us a DM over on Instagram @marketing&margaritas_
Thinking about running TikTok ads but not sure where to start? In this intro episode, we’re breaking down the basics of TikTok ads—what makes them different, why they work, and how to get started without overthinking it. From the power of short-form video to the secret behind a winning TikTok ad, we’ll cover the key concepts you need to build a strategy that actually converts.
Let us know your thoughts on TikTok ads and whether diving deeper on this topic would be of interest to you.
Ever wonder why your Instagram engagement feels flat—even when you're posting regularly?
In this episode, we're breaking down why the real secret to engagement isn’t in the likes—it’s in the DMs.
We'll explain how the algorithm really works, why Instagram is prioritising conversations, and how to turn casual followers into engaged fans through meaningful interactions.
This isn’t about chasing vanity metrics but rather outcomes that lead to conversions.